You will need some cash in reais to pay the taxi to your hotel (or you could use the prepaid by credit card, but doubly expensive, taxis for which you will be solicited as you exit). However, there have recently been some reports of card cloning at the ATMs at the GIG airport, so I'd arrive with enough reais to get you to an ATM in the city. Ideally use one in the lobby of a bank.

reports of scam:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g303506-i1199-k4640955-ATM_Scam_at_Rio_Airport-Rio_de_Janeiro_State_of_Rio_de_Janeiro.html

Yes, there is a lot of skimmers at the ATM' and just the other day a young lady used an ATM and days later found all of her money withdrawn from her account. So use ATM's at banks during banking hours and just be careful. check out http://gizmodo.com/5687689/how-anyone-can-fake-an-atm-and-steal-your-money

Thanks everyone. We do have our transportation to our hotel pre-arranged and I'm glad we do based on this advice!

With so many of these types of warnings, half the time I am wondering why we are visiting Rio, but I am still very much looking forward to it! Just hoping we are able to enjoy our time without being paranoid and that we stay safe without getting robbed at some point .

Very unwise to use Debit Card in SA too much "skimming"

You have 100% liability always leave mine at home

My identity was stolen several years ago fortunately

was a credit card $150 Chase bank had to eat it all

0% liability for me since then I

Use big bank ATMs only Visa CC capitalone.com no fee for me

Back up USD $20 new no tears no $50 or $100 too much

counterfeit... Ditto Brazil ATM big bank best.

Caveat Emptor...

American currency has became very popular, even countries like Equator have it as their currency so no worries US$ are easy to use in big cities or change into local currency for smaller towns. However make sure you bring brand new or at least non-ripped notes because Local Exchange Money Houses may refuse them if they are not. Some countries display American Dollars in ATM
http://fernando-footprint.blogspot.com

I can't address Brazil, but Peru is not one of those "Everybody takes dollars" countries. You're going to need to have local currency for everyday purchases.

It is in fact illegal in Brazil to buy with dollars (although sometimes a hotel will do the money exchange and it may seem to the tourist as if s/he is "using" dollars). You will need reais, either from the ATM or by exchanging dollar/euro notes at a "casa de cambio".

Your best bet to get smaller denominations for Peru is to use the cambio desks in arrivals at Lima. However you will not get the best rate there.

If possible, avoid the Global Net ATMs although if you have no other choice they are available at the airports. In Peru the ATM that seems to work for most people without charging a fee is Scotiabank. Not sure if there is one in Cusco airport but you may find one not too far from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco. If you use a bank ATM there is little to worry about re having your life savings stolen. Of course, keep the minimum that you need in that checking account until you return. Most ATM cards nowadays have the same protection as credit cards. In fact you are more like to have your identity stolen using a credit card at a restaurant, which actually happened to me in Los Angeles.

Usually I am the big cheerleader for ATM use however I don't think I would do it again in Peru. I went to Peru with a tour group of less than 15 people a few weeks after we got home I learned that 4 people from our group had their debit cards cloned and accounts drained. As soon as I got word of my companions' misfortune I immediately cancelled my debit card and got a new one.

If you take US $ to exchange in Peru make sure the money is new, crisp, unmarked and not even the smallest tear in the notes. Do not take the older series with the small pictures. I know we don't see those much anymore but they are worthless in Peru. I would not take $100 bills either.

I know the ATM offers the best exchange rates, but after what happened to my friends in Peru I would be a little wary of using ATMs in that country, I would probably just exchange US$ for Peruvian money. Either that or use your debit card and replace it as soon as you get home from the trip. JMO, I'm sure others will disagree.

What kind of ATM did you use? And where was it?